A drama over control of the ICM talent agency intensified on Thursday as agency president Chris Silbermann maneuvered to take ownership of a larger share of the company, a move that would further eclipse Chairman and CEO Jeff Berg.
The tension has been on the rise between Berg’s hand-picked number two and the agency chief because of differing visions over the future of the agency, whose stature has declined in Hollywood in recent years.
Berg has taken on a smaller role in ICM’s day-to-day operations in recent years as the agency’s movie business has declined. Meanwhile, Silbermann’s television business has become the dominant source of revenue at ICM, which is what lies behind the power play.